Page 110 of Lyric Squared

“Yes?” I answered, voice still raspy from the lengthy nap I’d taken.

“Hey,” she greeted, “Open the gate. The girls and I are pulling in.”

“Okay,” I responded before ending the call.

I opened the app that controlled my gate and opened it for my mother. Her bringing the girls to me was a pleasant surprise, but one that I was pretty darn satisfied with. She’d saved me some time and effort. Hadn’t Ever specifically requested silence in her birth plan, the girls would’ve been home with San. In an attempt to grant every request on her short birthing plan, keeping the children out of the house was top priority. As Iwaited for my mother and nieces to burst through my door, the messages I’d received from Luca contradicted everything we’d discussed about their care.

He’s here. Ever is already missing the girls. We’ll give her a few more hours with Lucas and then once the girls are from school, you can bring them.

Look at this little nigga, Lyric. Blonde ass hair and these big ass blue eyes. Who done gave me a fucking white baby?

The attached image made my ovaries ache. With large, full jaws, a head full of blonde hair, and the biggest blue eyes I’d ever seen on a baby, he was everything I’d imagined he’d be. He reminded me of his sister, Elle, when she was born, but with fatter cheeks and even larger eyes. But their resemblance was still stunning.

“Oh my God!” I cooed.

“Oh my God, what and why are you sounding like that?” My mother’s voice startled me. I hadn’t even realized she’d come in.

“Hi, TT,” Emorey greeted me, first.

“Hi, Em. Essence. Elle.”

“Hey, TT,” Essence responded, still standing near her Mimi. Those two were partners in crime as well. Essence could get whatever she wanted from her Mimi, including the Louis Vuitton mini that she wore on her arm.

“Uh, that’s new,” I acknowledged the bag she was holding onto for dear life.

“Ummm. Hmmm. Being the oldest of four and helping take care of your siblings has its rewards. We picked up one after school for her,” my mother chimed in.

“Okay, then. Essence is officially one of the girls, now. Turn around for TT. Let me see what you’re working with,” I cheered, mustering all the energy I possessed.

Too shy, Essence stepped behind my mom so that she was out of plain view. Not bothering to bring her out of hiding, I focused more on the task at hand. I had to get them to their mother and father in one piece.

“Alright, girls. We’re going to head to your house in a few minutes. Let auntie get herself together. I just got up from a long, much-needed nap,” I explained. “Elle, baby girl, do you miss Mommy?”

“Mommy?” Elle perked up, immediately. She was still snug in my mother’s arms, but it was obvious she, too, was ready to see Ever.

“Yes. Mommy had the baby. She’s ready to see you guys.”

“Are you sure you’re up for it? I can drop them off. I would’ve if I’d known Luca and Ever were ready for them.”

“I’m fine. I need to get out of here or else I’ll go crazy.”

“Your eyes are swollen, baby. I don’t think your brother should see you like this.”

“It’s fine. I’m emotional. My friend just had a baby. I’ve cried at the birth of all three of these. This is nothing new to Luca.”

Shrugging, I stood to my feet and stretched long and hard.

“Alright. Your dad and I have dinner plans at seven. If you need me, call my cell.”

“Go enjoy yourselves. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m going to call your brother before I leave out tonight. I imagine I could pick the girls up for school in the morning and see Lucas. I bet I’ve seen him before – in one of these three girls.” She tittered.

“You have… in that one.”

With my index finger, I pointed to the one in her arms. Lucas was her twin, only with blue eyes. The two of them were the perfect combination of Ever and Luca, but Ever’s genes just didn’t play fair. All of her children were nearly identical to her. She had super genes. This, I was convinced of.

“You want to see his picture?”